EDMONTON, AB (August 20, 2015): Bad economic policies from the NDP continue to harm Alberta’s economy with news of employment insurance recipients spiking 73.9 per cent from just one year ago, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today.
With analysts saying Western Canada Select is selling as low as $25 per barrel due to poor market access, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said it’s time for the NDP to stop fooling around with Alberta’s economy.
“The NDP have taken every step they can to pile on to our energy industry, whether it’s been higher gas, business and personal taxes, royalty reviews, failing to advocate for expanded market access or proposing even more extreme economic policies,” Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said. “They either don’t know the impact they’re having on the economy, or they’re putting ideology above good government. Either way, Albertans deserve better than a government that is doing nothing while Albertans lose their jobs.”
Yesterday, Wildrose called on the NDP to step back from many of their risky ideological policies that are adding on to an already hurting economy.
The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors has said there’s been a 50 per cent drop in activity this year. According to the Government of Alberta and Stats Canada, unemployment in Alberta is 33 per cent higher than in Jan. 2015. Unemployment has increased by almost 40,000 jobs since this time last year.
“Albertans deserve a government that will defend jobs and advocate for them, especially during difficult times,” Wildrose Shadow Energy Minister Leela Aheer said. “We can bounce back, but the NDP must realize that we need to encourage job creation, not work against it.”